Plane reservations

Bob has entrusted me to search a travel site that you use free miles.  I have never done this.  I usually use a travel site that is much easier and offers more selections.  I have been on it for over an hour now and have gotten no where.  On the other site, I had both flights in 10 minutes!  Why is he torturing me?  I haven't done anything wrong!  I must go back.  I must conquer this site.  It's them or me.  No please don't make me do this!  Yes I can.  Wish me luck......

New updates!

Our new bird feeder has worked so far with no squirrels getting up in the feeders.  They get as far as climbing under the basket and since there is nothing for them to grab on to, they fall.  They have tried to climb up other poles and jump, this too isn't helping them become successful.  They fall really fast.  The whole time they are out there the dogs are barking at them and they couldn't be bothered.  Yes, Bob was successful with the feeder...so far.

The bears really never returned last year.  We had 1 or 2 come through, not the usual 10.  So I can't really say it was successful keeping the bears out if we haven't really had any bears...sorry Bob!  We still have a bet going......   

Gone for a walk

The weather has been great for being the middle of winter.  It is still fall with a few winter days thrown in to keep us on our toes.  I thought it was a perfect day to go to my favorite place to walk.  The local Cemetery!  Yes, I must continue to pursue my roots locally.  With camera in hand, ink pen and tablet ready, once again I started taking pictures.  I have been working on this branch of the family and know some of the names.  I finished the ones I needed in record time and off I went to my next cemetery.

I never know what I am going to find in this one.  I started taking pictures when suddenly I hear a noise.  I jumped five feet.  It was only a crow.  I stay alert in this cemetery.  Fifteen minutes later I hear rustling leaves, I know there are no leaves here. Nothing is dry either.  I ask, "Who's here?"  I really didn't expect an answer.  Okay, this is the third time I have been here and you have bothered me, or are you just watching out for me?  Which one could it be?.... 

Duct tape

That good old grey tape that is in every household - duct (duck) tape!  I always have my own roll.  I use it just as much as Bob does.  You can really fix a lot of things with it.  I use it inside and outside.  When the kids were here I had to hide it.  They taped everything.  In our old house the prior owner used it to tape pipes together instead of using the right type of connectors.  Bob used it recently to tape a hole in his winter boots.  He can't buy a new pair because there isn't a pair around even though it is winter.  The other night Bob was sitting on the couch when I noticed duct tape on the heel of his sock.  Is it a hole?  That would be a good one.  I finally pointed it out to him and he laughed.  No, it's not a hole he taped, he must have stepped on it and that is where it stuck.  Maybe we can start a new fad - duct tape socks!.....  

The babies

I have been working on my Preemie hat project on a daily basis.  I am also posting new patterns for hats and gowns for the preemies for anyone who wants them.  I have these baby dolls that I am using as models for sizing.  I have the mid size one on the couch because I was working on a gown sizing.  I left the room and upon returning, the doll had disappeared.  Yes, I know it was on the couch.  No, I didn't misplace it.  Time to look for it.  I went down to the other rooms to look and guess who was laying next to the baby?  Bella.  The little outfit on the doll was wet so I am sure when I left the room so did the baby.  Bella loves sleeping right next to someone.  No one was available so she took the next best thing!  Guess I will watch her to see if she takes it again.  She luckily can't lift the bigger one.  Maybe I should put it on the bed at night and she will cuddle up to it not me!......

Nice Drivers!

It is so nice to know that there are friendly drivers on the road.  If you hesitate to go when the light turns green, they honk their horn.  Is that to remind us it's green?  Then there is the tailgater.  Love it when they are so close that you can't see their lights.  When you put on the brake, they wave.  Then as you are passing a truck the person behind you wants you to get out of the way.  When they finally pass you, they also wave.  Now it sounds like all these people are nice, they aren't.  They are waving with signals and not nice ones!  Not friendly people at all.  Know anyone like this?....... 

Christmas past!

Even though it is winter and it is 40 degrees outside, I was reminiscing  a Christmas past.  We were in our old house and I had just put the Christmas tree up and decorated the house.  Being Stacy was three I wasn't sure how she was going to do with the tree.  She sat there in wonder looking at the flashing lights.  So far she hasn't touched it.  I went to the kitchen and she eventually followed me.  She was telling me, "Ho ho fall!"  After her repeating this a few times I finally went in the living room.  I figured she dropped my Santa.  No, it was the tree.  There it was laying on the floor.  Good thing it was an artificial tree and no water was in it!  I grabbed the center pole and put it upright.  She only broke 1 ornament.  Now I must make sure this doesn't happen again.  I found some yarn, don't have string, and tied it to the door.  That should hold it, and it did.  Bob asked why I didn't use green yarn.  I could only find white.  Next year I will use green yarn.  I am sure she will try to get rid of it again.......

More deliveries!

Last week I had called another local NICU and I got a beautiful welcome upon arriving at the NICU today.  I got a tour of the brand new facility with all the brand new updated equipment.  Was it awsome.  All the rooms were roomy and beautiful.  I delivered 100 blankets, cuddle sacs, gowns and hats.  They left the bag of crocheted items out for the Moms to see what they wanted for their little ones.  How inspiring!  So now my hand made items are gone, time to make more!  Bob, I need to go to the Fabric Store!......

Snow is coming!

All day yesterday we heard, "Snow is coming."  It was a front that has created havoc in the west, now it is our turn for the wrath!  Three to six inches at least.  Snow will start by 9 PM.  Okay we are ready.  Shovels at attention front and back, snow blower ready.  I looked out at 9, no snow, 10, no snow,  11, still no snow.  Upon opening my eyes this morning, laying in bed, I glanced at the trees.  Yes, it has snowed.  Once I got to the door I saw what this big storm has left us.  There was a total of 4 inches out there.  The snow needed to be moved from the usual places, which didn't take Bob long.  Now hopefully we are done with winter for a while.  47 degrees for Monday with rain.  I can cope with that......  

Grandma's Recipes

After Grandma's passing we found a handful of her recipes carefully and lovingly written by her.  Everyone got a copy.  Now to see who can use the recipes and come as close as possible.  You see like all cooks she used "a little more, a pinch, not a full cup" as measurements.  I have made raviolis and gnocchi just following what she did.  Of course they are good, but not the same.  Her secret ingredient in some sauce was wine.  I was shocked.  She made "Torta" an Italian cheese bread that was just the greatest.  Bob and I were at the Italian store and bought some real Italian things there.  One of those things was a greated cheese.  When I opened it it reminded me of Mom's Torta.  I kept shoving it under everyone's nose to smell and we all agreed "Torta."  Yes, it is time for me to try.  Everyone else has!

I have never cooked with yeast before.  It said to put it in a bowl and add warm water.  If it rises it is good.  In the mean time mix these ingredients!  Bob, of course was right there to help.  I put the first ingredients in and he mixed.  All of a sudden I looked over at the yeast!  Yes, it's good, it is about to overflow the bowl!  The blob is invading my kitchen!  That was the next ingredient, so in it went.  We used the mixer until it wouldn't mix any more.  So now we must do this by hand.   Not an easy feat.  Two more cups of flour to go.  Bob wanted it to be like cake batter.  It's a bread!  We switched from a bowl to a big pot.  Now that we have mixed till our arms are ready to fall off, we need to put it in pans.  Mom used one big one.  I used two loaf pans, and the crock pot.  Now we cover with Saran Wrap - oiled.  Yes, I skipped the oil and found out why oil was needed.  Let them rise, then put in oven, bake, let cool.  Stand in front of them so no one can touch them. 

They were in the kitchen like flies.  They smelled it and wanted it!  I finally broke down and flipped one out and cut it.  Wow, it looked and smelled like Mom's, but of course it wasn't as good.  It needed more cheese.   They ate it so fast including the one I froze.  Oh well, I guess I'll have to make it again.  Bob, want to go to the Italian Store?.......

Winter has us!

The weatherman is calling for that white stuff to fall again.  A little tonight and a lot more on Friday night.  I can do without it.  They did say enough of an accumulation that will make us bring out our shovels and move that white stuff from one spot to another.  It is coming our way from West.  As far as I am concerned, the western states can keep it.  With some luck it will go north of us.  I'd better check the shovels and make sure we have enough of them for Bob.  One in the front, one on the deck and one in the garage, yep, he has enough of them!.....

Smoke inhalation!

The winds kicked up around 8:00 last night.  We had the wood burner going and I know what happens when it gets windy.  I hesitated when it was time to put more wood on the fire.  Do I or don't I.  I did.  It took a while and then I smelled the smoke that was blown in by the wind.  Maybe it won't get too bad!  I know better.  By 11:30 I could really smell it.  I heard Stacy out here going up and down.  I joined her.  We both tried to figure out what to do.  If only the wind would stop, but by now we are really smokey, you can see it.  We eventually got the fan out to blow the smoke up the chimney.  It was like using a garden hose to put out a two alarm fire.  All night we smelled it and part of today.  That is the worst thing about a woodburner, the smoke.  We have thought of the new outdoor stoves but they are run on eletricity, something we do without at times in the winter.  Anyone have a mask?....

Yarn & Fleece

 I had been really good with my yarn stash.  I had it down to two containers.  Now that I am doing my Preemie Project, I have resurrected the yarn I will use from my stash and brought it upstairs.  It sits in a small container with a lid.    Then I went out in search of fleece for the blankets.  That was my downfall.  There is a whole new line of yarn out there.  Such pretty colors, so soft!  It just happen to jump in my cart.  Two skeins of it.  Look at this one, it too jumped in my cart.  I came home and showed Bob my new yarn, like he is really interested in my yarn.  Now I need another container for it.  So while looking for the container I found more pretty yarn.  It came home in the new container, although Bob didn't believe that it came with it.  So now I have a new container filled with yarn for Preemie items and a small container that had a lid that threw up because of all the yarn I have in it now.  All too soon it will be gone, made into small little hats and things for the Preemies.  My goal is to make 1,000 blankets and collect 1,000 hats.  Wish me luck!......

The End!

Got your attention, didn't I.  You thought my first line was going to be - I need to stop blogging.  Not yet, I haven't fulfilled my quota yet.  You see, I have a dog who thinks she needs to go out frequently as long as it isn't raining.  She will jump in the nearest puddle but is afraid she will get wet when it is raining.  If it is snowing, it's every 5 minutes, she loves the snow!  So I just get interested in a TV show and I see her run down the steps and whine.  Okay, okay, here I come.  So out we go on the leash.  Since she doesn't know how to time it with commercials, I must go when she says so.  Yes, my life has gone to the dogs.  So most of the time I don't get the punchline or see the ending.  Do you know what it is like not to see who won the game?  I hate it!  Oh no, excuse me, time to go out!......

What's cooking?

I have been wanting to make some Potato Soup and today with the low temperatures was the perfect soup day.  I had some chicken and boiled this and it was oh so tasty!  Next came the onions and celery, nicely cooked.  Soup thickener made from margarine and flour, done.  Now a pot of diced cooked potatoes.  Don't forget the chopped bacon.  Get the big pot out!  Put all the ingredients in the pot, stir and turn on the heat.  Cooked to the right temp and consistency.  Now to taste.  Ooo!  So good!  Now to let it set for a while and stay out of the pot. Patience!  Okay half hour is up.  It is now ready.  The table is all set all we need are people to eat.  We are now seated and the soup is going in the bowl.  It smells so good.  Can't wait to dig in.  And it is so good, Bob and I agree.  Then all of a sudden Grandma pipes up, "I don't like cream soups!"  Oh well, too bad.  Just eat the potatoes, I know you like them.  Nothing like it to have someone burst your bubble when you have tried your best........

Will you help?

The weather was nice for quite a while and when people heard it was going to get cold, they started to remove the Christmas decorations.  I think back of all the years we decorated really well.  We wanted to be sure Santa could find us.  We had the Snowman, candles at the door, Santa and the reindeer and lots of lights.  Yes, the good old days of dragging all the decorations out, putting them where they look good, then going in the house and decorate even more.  Sometimes the kids would help put all the thing out and sometimes it was just easier to do it ourselves.  After the holidays are done the decorations need to come down.  I make a plan and let everyone know when we are going to put everything away.  Suddenly, that day I live alone!  Not a person to be found.  It's like a UFO came down and took them.  Where did everybody go?  So I fool them, I tell them a day and usually the day before that I tell them "Let's take all the decorations down now!"  They know I got them because they don't have plans for today!  Yes sometimes it does work.  So now that the kids are grown and gone, I just don't put as much up.  This way, I'm not stuck doing all this myself.  There were times I could outsmart them!.....

Big Bad Bella!

I let Bella out on a long leash while Sally runs free.  Bella can only go so far and Sally knows this.  Bella has a bad habit of biting at Sally.  Remember Bella stands 12 inches high and Sally is 3 feet high, so it is comical to see this little dog biting at the big dog.  Sally takes it well.  Now Sally knows that Bella can't reach her and will stand a few inches from Bella.  Bella has been hunkering down and leaps at Sally when she goes by to come in.  This is happening on a daily basis and Sally waits till Bella moves and makes a mad dash to the door.  They are funny to watch.  Sally has a great disposition to put up with the little chomper.  I know if it was me, the little dog wouldn't have any teeth.....

Winter arriving?

Is winter finally arriving here?  Listening to the weatherman, there is a possibility.  We had rain last night, ice in some areas.  Then the temp went up in the 40's.  Now they are saying that there is a possibility of that white stuff falling tonight and tomorrow.  We are in a "snow drought!"  That means it hasn't snowed enough.  We have had about 8 inches, it just didn't last.  I won't miss the snow, Bob won't miss it either since he is the one who moves it from one spot to another.  The snow blower is great for that but some places still need to be shoveled.  It could be worse, a town in Alaska has 18 feet of snow.  Now that would really create havoc around here!......

Postal service

Years ago when we lived in an area that had walking postal service people, I mailed a bill that I realized later that the wrong check was in the envelope.  I went across the street and we argued about the letter.  I really needed it back!  It was mine before this and now, in his hands, it belongs to the government and he couldn't give it back.  I started the waterworks and got it back instantly.  I ran back to the house before he changed his mind.  This leads into today's story.

My Grand daughter is in the service and is stationed down south.  She just got military housing about two weeks ago.  She called me all proud of this.  Great going!  What is your address?  Later she sent it to me.  I had a box on the table and finally filled it up.  Today I will mail it.  I have said that a few times and never got there.  Today I did.  Then I sent her a message stating that.  I almost died when she texted back - what address did you send it to?  In her excitement, she gave me the wrong house number.  Someone else will get this package!  I must see if I can do something about it.  Then I thought about what happened years ago.  Well, maybe if I call them it won't be as bad.  I eventually got one of the ladies on the phone, explained the situation, and she went to find the package.  She quickly returned with it and I asked if she would change the numbers for me.  There was no problem.  Thank heavens.  I let the kid know and changed my address book.  At least I know I am not the only one who does these things.  She will be shocked that I put this on here but it is worth it.  Thanks Britt for tonight's blog......

Turn Up the TV!

 Bob's hearing isn't good at times.  He likes the TV turned up louder than I like it sometimes.  With the remote we have now it shows how loud the TV is and if you are turning it up or down.  On occasion he will request that the TV be turned up and we just whack the button and ask, "How's that?"  "Better."  We just laugh.  He knows we have't touched it then.  We can only fool him part of the time, but it is fun!.....

Blankets

The Preemie Hat Project has gotten off the ground.  I delivered 100 tiny blankets of all sizes to our local NICU today.  There were plenty of compliments on the little hats, dresses and cuddle sacs.  They said they don't get many donations and will use these.  I was so proud.  Now I do have some other ladies that are going to help.  Can't wait to see their array of hats!  Anyone can help!.... 

Delivery day!

Delivery day finally came with our first.  Bob had left for work that afternoon only to be called home shortly after he arrived.  Guess this is it.  We will go from the two of us to being a family.  I always laughed at the antics of men when they were shown on TV, right before the delivery.  Bob was funny.  He arrived home to pick me up, grabbed my suitcase, ran to the car and left.  As he was leaving he almost hit the neighbor who was in the driveway.  We lived on the third floor so I was slow coming down the stairs.  I reached the bottom just as Bob arrived for the second time.  I jumped in the car and off we went.  Upon arriving at the Hospital Admission Desk Bob said he wanted a room.  She told him the hotels are down the street.  She looked up and saw me and realized what was going on.  Of course they called for a wheelchair and off we went to the elevator.  We jumped in the elevator with a few other people and after the doors shut, there we stayed!  Good thing this was our first!  We finally settled in for the long wait.  Our first arrived after midnight.  Then the fun started.......

Computer games!

The kids got a new computer game from Santa.  Bob always said he would never sit on the couch and play computer games.  He takes our computers and hogs them.  This new African game keeps him busy.  We sit here and watch him.  As every shot goes off he makes faces, jumps, and yells.  We just sit here and laugh at him.  He is now doing exactly what he said he would never do.  Yes we are laughing at him again......

No post last night because....

I love my computer as you all know.  They must be up kept also.  Stacy cleaned it out last week because I don't know how, still don't.  Everyone says it needs to have a back up on it.  Sure, and how is that done?  I bought a separate hard drive when I bought the computer.  They said I should and I can use it to back up the computer.  It is suppose to back up the computer every Sunday and most of the time I forget.  When I do remember because of the red X on the icon, I plugged it in to the computer and it did something.  After about 10 minutes I unplug it, not knowing if it is done or not, so I can use the computer.  One day when I plugged it in, it was still backing up an hour later.  Okay, I will show everyone how patient I can be.  I plugged it in to the computer and let it do it's thing.  Four hours later, it was still downloading!  I kept myself busy crocheting things for the Preemies.  I want to check all my things before I go to bed and it's still running.  I have had enough, I want my computer that this little thing called a hard drive, has in its possession.  After flipping on another screen it said I could have minimized it and used the computer.  So I did and did what I wanted and put it back up on the screen and it still wasn't done.  I left it on all night and I hope it now has backed up my computer.  I have no way of knowing, or do I?  Stacy!..... 

What's for supper?

Some days it is hard at 8am to figure out what I want to make for supper.  I check the freezer, get what I want out, then I have all day to figure out what it will end up being.  Today's meal was going to be steak.  I know Grandma likes steak.  Now what to serve with it.  About 3:00 Grandma asked what was for supper.  I told her steaks.  "I don't want steak.  Can I have a hot dog instead?"  What could I say but "Ok"  So, here we sat at the table eating steak, while Grandma sat happily eating a hot dog.  Oh, by the way, she wanted baked beans with the hotdog!  What a meal.....

Who turned off the nice weather?

Yes, I know it is winter and with that comes cold temperatures, snow, ice, and bitter wind.  We did luck out till now with most daily temps above 32 degrees.  Guess we were really getting use to it.  They have been telling us for a few days that it was suppose to get cold, but the forcast changes frequently.  We went outside this morning and wow it was really cold, there was a light coating of snow and the wind was making it bitter.  Yes, it is winter.  At least the weather man is saying that in a few days it will be above 40 degrees again.  Yep, nice weather will be back....

Baby Dolls!

Working on the "Preemie Project" is fun.  I have been thinking of different ways to make outfits.  I came up with a really good idea - Baby Dolls of different sizes.  Yes, this will work!  Off I go to the department store.  I am not sure I will find what I want because it was Christmas a week ago.  On to the toy department.  I was intent on looking for doll when this motion detector turned this voice on.  I jumped so high I thought I would become part of the shelf.  Next aisle had dolls.  Yes, all sizes!  Ah, here is an itty bitty one, next is a medium size, but none bigger.  After paying for the dolls off I went to the local toy store.  In the past month they have changed the store around twice.  I am on a mission and can't find the dolls!  I found a Saleslady and finally found them, in the "Pink Section."  They drink, wet, cry, talk, crawl, all I need is a bigger one than what I have.  Some have the length of the doll on the package, much better.  I found an 18 inch one and off I went to the checkout.  I suddenly saw the line, at least 10 people, walked to the next aisle and even more people were in line.  There had to be at least 30 people in this line that went to two registers.  I turned around and replaced the doll on the shelf.  It would take 45 minutes wait time.  Not for me today.......    

Construction

Years ago we were having the house re-sided.  The man had all the siding off and was starting to put the new stuff on.  He let us know that he couldn't be there the next day and was sending someone else up to keep the job going.  We are always nice to whoever is working here.  Sometimes if you aren't the deliberately mess up the job.  So the next morning I heard some noise outside and went out to say hello.  The man introduced himself and his son.  I asked if they wanted coffee or something to drink.  Both declined but the Father was kind of sarcastic.  I ignored it and went back in the house.  Later I went to see how it was coming, like I did the day before.  Now, I don't know too much about hanging siding but I thought it was put on from the bottom up.  When I questioned him, he told me this is the way I am doing it.  Okay!  Back in the house I go.  Later I heard him yelling at his son and went to see what was going on.  He was threatening to whack the kid in the head with the hammer.  This guy got up on the wrong side of the bed today.  The situation was going from bad to worse by the minute.  I called Bob and requested he come home for lunch.  He suspected something was wrong.  Upon arriving he went to say hello and the guy mouthed off to him.  Not good.  Then Bob wanted to know why he was putting the siding on the way he was.  Then the guy said, "If you don't like it I will leave."  The situation went from bad to worse, with the guy loosing his temper again on his son.  We had to request that he leave the property.  He was a loose cannon.

The next day the regular guy came and wanted to know what happened.  I explained the situation.  He then told me that the man said Bob came home and told the guy to leave.  I laughed and said that was after all these things happened.  He apoligised and went about his work until he saw the back.  He did have to tear off what few pieces the guy put on.  I at least learned a few things that day, siding goes on bottom to top and keep an eye on the contractor.....